Mayor Rahm Emanuel is proposing a $25 ticket fee to sit in the Petrillo Music Shell during Taste concerts.

PHOTOS: Taste Concerts

Seating on the lawn is still free. Emanuel said the revenues from the seat sales, along with ticket sales from a series of celebrity chef dinners, will help offset the cost of the food festival, has operated at a steep deficit the last few years.

"Music fans will have the opportunity to secure seats to headlining musical acts for a nominal cost, and the revenues will help financially support this event without placing a burden on taxpayers," Emanuel said in a written statement.

PHOTOS: Taste of Chicago 2011

Petrillo seats 3,000 people and 30,000 can squeeze onto the lawn. The list of musical acts has not been released.